His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Khaled bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Calgary in Qatar, appreciated the decision to appoint Professor Dr. Hala Al-Essa as President of the University of Calgary. Dr. Al-Essa is considered one of the most influential experiences globally in the field of chemistry and her skills and qualifications that enrich society By contributing to providing it with a group of exemplary nurses armed with science and knowledge to become distinguished leaders in the healthcare sector in Qatar. His Excellency expressed his pride in the appointment of Prof. Dr. Al-Issa as President of the University, who has a long history in this field, which inevitably reflects on the efforts of the State of Qatar towards continuing its path in having a strong and integrated health sector, not only at the local level, but also at the regional and international levels, wishing her success in her new position. . His Excellency continued, saying, “We feel proud of the presence of Qatari women leaders who assume such leadership positions, especially in one of the most important fields, which is nursing, a lofty profession that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to as a fundamental pillar for achieving human development and its comprehensive repercussions on various sectors,” especially that education Nursing at the University of Calgary in Qatar is in line with the goals laid out in the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy.
Dr. Al-Essa obtained a Bachelor of Science (double major) in Chemistry and Physics from Qatar University in 1982, a Masters in Chemistry from the State University of New York College at Buffalo, USA, in 1985, and a PhD in Organic Chemistry (Natural Products) from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, in 1990. In 1993 she was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, and in 2008 she was awarded the Encouragement State Prize in Pure and Applied Sciences (Chemistry). In 2015 she was selected among 175 Globally Influential People in Chemistry, and in 2016 the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) awarded her a Fellowship. Prof. Hala Al-Essa brings extensive experience through her roles on national, regional and international committees, including the Qatar National Qualifications and Accreditation Committee, the United Nations Environment Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
